19-11-121. District courts; jurisdiction; venue; preference docket.

(a) In the case of an action against the state, the district court in which the state or any of its political subdivisions exercises authority or conducts its business shall have jurisdiction to hear actions to enforce the provisions of this article. In the case of a private employer, the appropriate district court is the district court for any district in which the person in the uniformed services is employed.

(b) The district courts of the state shall have jurisdiction upon the filing of a complaint, motion, petition or other appropriate pleading by or on behalf of the person claiming a right or benefit under this article to require the employer to:

(i) Comply with the provisions of this article;

(ii) Compensate the person for any loss of wages or benefits suffered by reason of such employer's failure to comply with the provisions of this article;

(iii) Pay the person an amount equal to the amount of lost wages or benefits as liquidated damages if the court determines that the employer's failure to comply with the provisions of this article was willful.

(c) Any compensation awarded under paragraphs (b)(i), (ii) and (iii) of this section shall be in addition to and shall not diminish any of the other rights and benefits provided for in this article.

(d) All district and appellate courts shall give preference in scheduling such actions upon the motion of any person in the uniformed services, or his attorney, who presents certification that the person has performed service in the uniformed services or is in service in the uniformed services.